A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gaddy family of England.
Reg. 8398 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three billets sa”
EnglandLondon, c. 1620
Where the Gaddy Arms Were Recorded
London
Map of England showing where the Gaddy arms are recorded
The Gaddy arms were recorded in London, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Gaddy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Gaddy Family in England
The family name Gaddy has roots that stretch back to the bustling streets of seventeenth-century London. By 1620, individuals bearing this surname were already established within the city, living during a time of great social and economic change in England. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common in the British Isles during the late Middle Ages. As London grew into a global center for trade and exploration, families like the Gaddys were part of the vibrant urban population that helped shape the city. Many people with this name eventually looked toward the horizon, as the early seventeenth century was a period defined by migration and the search for new opportunities across the Atlantic. This movement helped carry the name from its English origins into the broader history of the English-speaking world.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gadd
An Old English nickname derived from the word for a spike or goad.
This name
GaddyA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone known as a goad or spike.
also spelled
Gaddie
Gadday
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
